Microtome



` June 1 192e. 1,587,248

H. W` SPENCE MICROTOME Filed July 20, 1925 INVENTR FTTY Patented June 1, i925.

HERBERT W. SPENCE, '03? TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA..

MICROTOME.

Application ied July 20, 1925.

lThis invention relates vto apparatus such as used to hold an article while a cut is made through the same for the purpose of making n'iicroscopic obsi-rvations of the section, and.

the object of the present invention is to devise special means for controlling the movement of the work holder whereby a very line horizont-al adjustment in two directions at right angles to each other of its position relative to the tool may be obtained, and whereby such line adjustment may be obtained without sacrificing rigidity or strength in the apparatus.

I attain my object by means of t-he constructions hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of my apparatus;

Fig. 2 a side elevation of thev same;

Fig. 3 a plan view of part of the under side;

Fig. l a longitudinal section through part of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 a cross section through the same;

Fig. 6 a sectional detail through the loclring means.

In the drawings like numerals Vof reference indicate corresponding partsin the different figures.

The drawings and descriptive part of the specification are confined to the structure of that part of a microtome `which carries the adjustable work holder, and as the means for holding and moving the knife, and for elevating and lowering the work holder form no part of my invention, the illustration and description of those portions of a microtome have been purposely omitted.

A base of suitable form to carry the work holder is provided, and comprises a main portion 1 and a removable portion 2.` The base will usually be slidably mounted on an inclined guide, not shown, whereby by moving the base lengthwise of the guide, the height of the base may be varied as desired.

In the base is formechpartly in the main portion 1 and partly in the removable portion 2, a socket fora member 3, the lower part of which isformedv as part of a sphere whereby it may be given a 'partial rotary movement in its socket in any direction. A portion` of the `sphere-shaped vmember extends through the upper surface of the removable part 2, and on this extending portion. .is formed a boss l, Which'is provided Serial No. 44,853.

with a threaded socket for receiving the supporting stem of a vise or other work supporting tool.

Ordinarily the sphere-shaped member will be free to move in its socket, but in order that it may be clamped in position while the work in the work support is operated on, the removable portion 2 of the base is secured in position in the following manner. The part 2 will normally be held slightly spaced from the part 1 by the sphere-shaped member. The part 2 will at one end be provided with holes through which may extend screws 5 adapted to be received in threaded holes in the part 1. In the other end of the part 2 is formed a hole to receive a headed pin 6 which extends into a recess? formed in the part 1. Preferably the hole is counterbored to receive thevhead of the `pin so that the head will not form anV objectionable projection on the surface of the part 2. A hole is formed transversely Lthrough the part 1 to receive a pin 8, which pin is provided with a suitable handle 9 whereby the pin may be rotated. The pin G is provided with a hole 10 through which the pin 8 passes. The pin 8 is provided'with an eifset or eccentric portion 11, which, when the pin is rotated, actuates thevpin 6 to move the.' part 2 into fri-ctional engagement with the sphere-shaped member 3.

For the purpose of rocking the sphere-- shaped member in its socket I provide the following mechanism. Mounted on the side of the part 1 of the base so as to be slidable longitudinally thereof is the member 12. This slidable member 12 is provided with a hole in which is slidable a rod 13 which extends into a recess in the part 1 of the base below the socket for the member 3. This rod is provided adjacent its inner end with a pin 11i which carries a ball 15, which ball is received in a hole or socket 16 formed in the member 3. i Y

To rock the member 3 in a direction transverse-ly of the support the rod v13 is moved backwards or forwards through the 'opening in the slidable member 12, and Vtor this purpose I provide the following mechanism.

Pivotally mounted on the side of the part.

1 is a lever 17. One end of this lever is connected by means of a pin and slot connection 18 with ahead or plate l9`on the rod 13. For the purpose of steadying this plate apin 20 is provided on the slidable member loi) Ll t) l2 which entends through a hole in the plate 19.

The other end ot this lever 17 is pivotally7 connected with one end of a link 2l, the other end ot which link is pivotally connected With an operating` lever 22 pivoted on the base l. This operatingl lever also act-s as an indicator to co-operate 'with a scale provided on a quadrant 23. The lever 22 is provided with a screw 2li adapted to engage the quadrant 23 to clamp the lever in position as adjusted.

To rock the member 3 in a direction longitudinally o'tf the support, the slidable member l2 which carries the rod 13 is moved longitudinally ot the base. This slidable member is actuated in the following; manner. Secured to and slidable vi'ith the member l2 is the plate 25 on which are provided a pair ot spaced shoulders 2G betvvecn which is received one end of an 'operating' lever 27 pivoted on the base portion l. The plate is provided with a slot 2S through which the pivot pin ot the lever 27 extends so that the sliding` or the plate 25 is not interfered with. rlhis operating lever 27 also acts as an indicator to co-operate with a scale provided o n a quadrant 29. rThe lever 27 provided with a screiv SO adapted to engage the quadrant 29 to clamp the lever in position as adjusted.

rEhe operation of the device is as follows. The handle 9 is tirst actuated so that the base portion 2 is released tromits trictional engagement Wit-h the member 3.

Either one or both ot the levers 22 and 2T may then be rocked so that through the connections hereinbetorc described the member 3 may7 be rocked to move vthe ivork-holding' device to the proper position or angle, and the arm 9 will then again be actuated to frictionally engage the part 2 with the member 3. It Will be evident, of course, that by suitable combinations o't movements ot the levers 22 and 2T the socket 24- may be moved to any desired inclination Within the limits of' the device and that such movement may be very iinely regulated.

From the'above description it `will be seen that I have devised apparatus which will satisfactorily attain the object 'ot my invention,

that I claim is:

l. In a microtome the combination of a base: vvork holder supporting member mounted on said base by means of a ball and socket joint; land a member for roclingr said supportingmembeiz said members also being connected -by means of a ball Aand socket joint.

2. In av nfi'icrotomc, the combination. of a base; a work holder supporting member mounted on said base bymeans of a ball land socket joint,. said support-ing member having a ieee-'ss t-lfi'eieiii.; cainemberftor 'rocking said supporting member, said second mentioned member having a ball-shaped portion extending into said recess,

In a microtome, the combination ot a base having` a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon which nember the Work holder is secured, said member having a recess formed therein and said base havin-g a recess therein beloiv the socket; and means for rocking said member in a direction longitudinally ot the base comprising' nien'iber slidably supported on the side oi the base; a rod carried by said slidable member and extending into the recess in the base; and a spheroidal men'iber on said rod -:\.;eni;ling into the recess in the first mentionccL s'iheroidal member.

4. tn a microtome, the combination of a base having a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in saidV socket upon ivhich member the ivork holder is secured, said memberl having a recess 'formed therein and said base having' a recess therein beloiv the socket; means for rocking said member in a direction longitudinally ot the base comprising a member slidably supported on the side oi the base; a rod carried by said slidable member and extending into Vthe recess in the base; and a spheroidal member on said rod extending' into the recess in the first mentioned spheroidal member; and a lever pivoted on said base adapted to actuate said slidable member.

5. In a microtome, the combination of a base having a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon which member the 'ivork holder is secured, said member having a recess formed therein and said base having a recess therein beiovv the socket; means 'for rocking' said member in a direction longitudinally of the base comprising' a member slidably supported on the side ot the base; a rod carried by said slidable member and extending into the recess in the base; a spheroid'al member on said rod extending' into the recess in the tirst mentioned spheroidal member; a lever pivoted on said base adapted to actuate said slidable member; and a quadrant supported on the base ivith which said lever is adapted to co-operate.

(S. In a microtome. the combination oi' a base having' a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon which member the Work holder is secured. said member having a Arecess formed therein and said base having' a recess therein below the socket: means tor rocking said member in a direction transverselyv of the base comprising a rod slidable transversely of and 'extending' into the recess in the base; and a spheroidal lmembc'er on said rod extending intothe recess in the iirst mentioned spheroidal member. y

lOO

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base having a socket formed therein; a spheroidal memberV in said socket upon which member the Work holder is secured, said member having a recess formed therein and said base having a recess therein below the socket; means for rocking said member in a direction transversely of the base comprising,` a rod slidable transversely of and extending into the recess in the base; a spheroidal member on said rod extending into the recess in the first mentioned spheroidal member; and a lever pivoted on said base adapted to actuate said rod.

8. In a microtome, the combination ot a base having a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon Which member the Work holder is secured, said member having a recess formed therein and said base having' a recess therein belon7 the socket; means for rocking` said member in a direction transversely of the base comprising a rod slidable transversely ot' and extending into the recess in the base; a spheroidal member on said rod extending into the recess in the irst mentioned spheroidal member; a lever pivoted on said base connected at one. end With said rod; a link connected with the other end of the lever; and a second lerer pivoted on the base to which the other end ot' said link is connected.

9. In a microtome, the combination of a base having a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon which member the Work holder is secured, said member having a recess formed therein and said base having a recess therein below the socket; means for rocking said member in a direction transversely ot the base comprising a rod slidable transversely of and eX- tending into the recess in the base; a spheroidal member on said rod extending into the recess in the first mentioned spheroidal member; a lever pivoted on said base connected at one end with said rod; a link connected with the other end ot the lever; a second lever pivoted on the base to which the other end of said link is connected; and a quadrant supported on the base With Which said lever is adapted to cooperate.

10. In a microtome, the' combination ot a base having a socket formed therein; a spheroidai member in said socket upon which member the 'work holder is secured; said member having` a recess 'formed there` in and said base having a recess therein belonY the socket; means for rocking said menr ber comprising a member slidably supported on the side ot the hase; a rod. carried by said slidable member and extending into the recess in the base; a spheroidal member on said rod extending into the recess in the iirst mentioned spheroidal member; means for moving; said slidable member on the base; and means for moving said rod rela-tive t` the slidable member.

cess in the inst mentioned spheroidal mehr ber; a lever pivoted on said base adapted to actuate said slidable member; and means for moving` said rod relative to the slidable member.

l2. In a microtome, the combination of a base having a. socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon which member the Work hoider is secured, said member having' a recess formed there in and said base having1 a recess therein below' the socket; means for rocking' said member coinprising Va member slidably supported on the side or" the base; a rod carried by said slidable member and extending into the recess in the base; a spheroidal member on said rod extending` into the recess in the first mentioned spheroidal member; means for moving said slidable member on the base; and a lever pivcted on said base adapted to actuate said rod.

i3. ln a microtome; the combination ot a base having a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon which member the Work holder is secured.;

said member having` a recess formed therein and said base, haring a recess therein below the socket; means for rocking` said member comprising a member slidably sup ported on the side of the base; a rod carried by said slidable member and extending;` into the recess in the base; a spheroidal member on said rod extending into the recess in the iirst mentioned spheroidal membe means igor moving said slidable member on the base; a lever pivoted on said base connected at oneend with said rod; a link connected with the other end of thc lever; and a second. lever pivoted on the base to which thc other end of said link is connected.

14. in a microtome, the combina-tion et a base having' a socket formed therein; a spheroidal member in said socket upon which member the Work holder is secured, said member having a recess formed therein ant said base having a recess therein below the socket; means for rocking` said member comprising a member slidably supported on the side oi the base; a rod can ried by said slidable member and -exrench inginto the recess in the base; a spheroidal member on said rod extending into the re ivi cess in the first mentioned spheroidal member; :i lever pivoted on seid base adapted te ectuzite said Slideble member; means for moving;` said rod rel zitive to the slideble member; :ind n lever pivoted on said bese adapted te actuate said rod.

l5. ln u microtome, the combination olf n bese having a socket :termed therein; :i Spheroicel member in Said Socket upon which member the Work helder is Secured, seid member having; recess roi-med therein and seid base having` a recess tlierein below the socket; means for rocliigI said member comprising member slide-bly sup-- ported en the side oi the base; e rod carried by .said elidable member and extending inte the recess in the base; e spheroidsrl member en Said rod extending` inte the recess in the lirfst nientiened Spheroidal member; a lever pivoted en Seid base adapted te nctuete Said. slideble member; means 'for moving; seid red relative te the sliduble memwith the ether end of the second-mentiened lever; and ir third lever pivoted on the baue to which the other end 0i the said link is connected.

16, ln :L microtome; the combination ei' a base having ri socket 'formed there'ii; u, spheroidal member in Seid socket upon which member the Work helder is secured, seid member having a recess therein; menne for rocking said spheroidel member cemprising :i member l wing a ball-Shaped per tien extending` into said recess menne iter actuating Seid last mentioned member in one directien; und means for rocking` reid. lastmentioned member in a direction :it :in angle to the first mentioned direction.

Signed et. Toronto7 Can., this 10th der of July, 1925,

HERBERT YV. SPENCW. 

